German covettes to receive OTO 76/62 Super Rapid naval gun system

German corvette Braunschweig, the first of the new K130 class, at the deperming range in Wilhelmshaven. Photo by Ein Dahmer/Wikimedia

Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Leonardo announced a deal on Thursday to mount its new defense gun system on new German naval ships.

The new deal calls on Leonardo to provide seven OTO 76/62 Super Rapid systems to equip the new K130 corvettes of the German Navy.

"The signing of the contract strengthens the historical collaboration with the country and with the Agency," the company said in a press release. "Leonardo has indeed provided the first naval artillery systems, in particular the 76/62 Compact, starting from the 70s; the most recent supplies include the 127/64 Vulcano naval guns and the Hitrole 12.7 turrets currently on board the F125 Frigate."

Leonardo's OTO 76/62 is powered by a control console that can be incorporated into any type and class of ship, even smaller units.

The system's medium-caliber and compact versions can sustain a fire rate of up to 120 rounds per minute, which the company calls a necessity for defense in asymmetrical war scenarios.

The 76/62 SR has automatic loading with a revolving magazine and rapid reloading using two ammunition handlers. Its tactical time during operational condition is less than three seconds, with a standard deviation at firing of less than 0.3 mrad.

The German Navy has already tested the capability of the compact system, which has already mounted the first crop of new corvettes.

Nearly 60 naval forces worldwide use the system, according to the company.